Panerai Radiomir 42mm with P.999 movement (PAM337)

The 2010 Radiomir PAM337 is a kind of a landmark model for Panerai. While the gadget features the same iconic cushion-shaped case with the usual styling of the dial, the 42-millimeter model tries to get your attention with the completely new P.999 hand-wound movement.

At this year’s SIHH 2010 trade show, the Swiss-based Italian brand has presented several fairly affordable (well, for Panerai anyway) vintage-styled wristwatches. Unlike most of their earlier works, the new ones are now powered not by a redecorated version of an ETA blank movement, but by their Caliber P.999 hand-wound mechanisms that the watchmaker claims to have been developed and manufactured “in-house”. Although I still have a gut feeling that, before the movement was created, there was some sort of “technology transfer” between Panerai and Piaget (another reputable powerhouse that is, too, owned by Richemont SA,) I must admit that with this new mechanism Panerai makes a serious claim for its share of entry-level luxury dress watches that are animated by “real” calibers.

Built on 19 jewels and beating at a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, the movement sports a single mainspring barrel design and offers impressive 60 hours of guaranteed power supply. Being almost 2.5 times thinner than their earlier Manifattura movement, the P.999 has allowed Panerai to create a whole new line of slimmer timekeepers that, while still looking mean and massive, allow you to wear one of them with a dress shirt.

The 2010 Panerai Radiomir PAM 337 is one of these new, dressier Panerais. Presented in a more or less compact stainless steel case that measures just 42 millimeters wide, the PAM337 looks great on an average wrist, partially thanks to its short wire-style lugs that are welded to the case. As usual, the winding/setting crown offers a firm grip and makes it easier to adjust the time display when you need to pull it a little from its normal position without breaking your nails.

Regretfully, as far as I understand, the movement doesn’t have so-called ‘hacking seconds’ function that stops the subsidiary seconds hand (it is traditionally located at 9 o’clock) and resets it to zero while you manually correct the reading, so you would have to get used to the fact that your PAM337 always acts a bit out of sync with your other timekeepers. I could live with that.

Panerai doesn’t say a word about the PAM337’s case actual height, but, judging by real-life photos of the model, it is pretty much clear that the PAM 337 is a lot thinner than other models from the Italian brand.

With its width of only 42 mm, the case is also smaller. As I have already noted, now it is almost a real dressy watch, although it is still not a great threat for Patek Philippe.

See also: Panerai Radiomir PAM 336 in 42mm body

Photos: Officine Panerai

Panerai Radiomir 42mm P.999 PAM 337 specification

Price range: $13,000 (MSRP)
Movement: Panerai P.999 Caliber, 144 parts, 27.06 mm in diameter, 3.40 mm thick, in-house
Winding: Hand-wound
Jewels: 19
Movement frequency: 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Power reserve: 60 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Cushion
Transparent back: Yes, sapphire crystal
Size: 42.00 mm
Dial: Black
Hands: Stainless steel, luminous
Strap: Alligator leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, corundum, 1.5 mm thick, anti-reflective coating
Water resistance: 100 meters